DAVIS, Calif. — Ariana Quintero, a high-scoring midfielder from Clovis Community College, has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic career with the UC Davis women's soccer team, Head Coach
Twila Kaufman announced Friday.
"I chose UC Davis because it is a school that takes pride in their academics," Quintero said. "Davis will provide me with a variety of resources that will help me toward achieving my degree, while the coaching staff is welcoming and genuine. They will push me to become a better person, a better student, and a better athlete."
Quintero becomes the sixth member of the Aggies' signing class for the 2019 season, joining
five high school standouts who signed letters during the early signing period in November.
"From the first time I saw Ariana, I was hoping she would come to UC Davis," Kaufman said. "She comes from a family that has given a lot of service and leadership to the soccer community, grown up with very strong core values, lots of access to the beautiful game, and a very strong work ethic.
"We love her soccer IQ, passion for the game, and we think she will fit well with the players we have."
The 5-foot-4 native of Fresno, Calif., played her freshman season with the Crush and will have three years remaining with the Aggies. The first-ever Central Valley Conference's Most Valuable Player in the history of the program, Quintero started 22 of the team's 23 games in 2018-19, finishing with school single-season records for goals (21) and points (55) and assisting on 13 others.
She scored multiple goals in a match five times, including four goals to go with an assist in a 12-0 win over College of the Sequoias — part of a run that saw her score a point in nine consecutive matches — helping Clovis Community College to a record-setting 16-3-4 overall record and a trip to the "Sweet 16" of the California Community College Athletic Association NorCal Regional playoffs, finishing ranked No. 15 in the final United Soccer Coaches poll.
"Ariana, in only one season, has left an indelible mark on our young program at Clovis Community College through her inspiring play and tremendous leadership," Head Coach Orlando Ramirez said. "We couldn't be more excited and thankful for Coach Kaufman and her staff for giving Ariana the opportunity to further her education and playing career at an institution like UC Davis."
Prior to joining the Crush, Quintero was a standout four-year letter winner at Edison HS, helping the Tigers to a County Metro Athletic Conference title and a CIF Central Section crown as a senior with a 22-6 overall record and an 8-2 mark in league play. She was twice an All-County Metro Athletic Conference first team honoree, and the 2018 CMAC Midfielder of the Year, finishing with a prep-high 13 goals and 20 assists in her final season.
Quintero graduated Summa Cum Laude from Edison HS with a 4.32 GPA and spent six seasons with the Revolution SC out of Fresno. She intends to major in computer science at UC Davis.
2018-19 UC DAVIS WOMEN'S SOCCER SIGNEES
Name (Height, Position, Hometown / Previous School, Club Team)
Yasmeen Dmeiri (5-4, D/M, Davis, Calif. / Davis HS '19, Davis Legacy)*
Clarissa Grajeda (5-8, GK, Camarillo, Calif. / Rancho Campana HS '19, LA Premier FC Academy)*
Brianna Guerra (5-4, M/D, Anaheim, Calif. / Villa Park HS '19, LAFC Slammers)*
Mirai Hayakawa (5-5, D, Irvine, Calif. / Irvine HS '19, LAFC Slammers)*
Reese Mercado (5-8, D, Walnut Creek, Calif. / Las Lomas HS '19, Lamorinda SC)*
Ariana Quintero (5-4, M, Fresno, Calif. / Edison HS '18 / Clovis Community College, Revolution SC)
* denotes previously announced signee
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, and among the top 10 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.
AGGIE EVO
Launched in 2017-18, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
